Participate in small- and large-group discussions, observing the courtesies of group discussion, and demonstrate effective group interaction skills and strategies:

• understand the purpose and direction of the group
• adjust to roles in group
• develop harmony, listen, observe, and respond to and clarify one another's ideas
• be respectful but also critical
• build upon and extend the thoughts of others
• work co-operatively and collaboratively with others in small groups on structured tasks
• question others, exploring the potential of their contributions, and offer clarification and elaboration upon own ideas when necessary
• assume some of the work necessary to maintain discussion and advance it (e.g., by summarizing, raising questions, extracting significant points, making connections, setting agenda)
• assume the responsibility for independent and individual summary and closure.

Select, use, and evaluate purposefully a variety of before (page 28), during (page 29), and after (page 30) strategies to construct and communicate meaning when speaking.

Understand and apply the language cues and conventions to construct and communicate meaning when speaking including:

• Pragmatic cues and conventions: selecting and using language register appropriate for the subject, context, audience, and purpose; using conventional "standard" English when required.
• Textual cues and conventions: selecting and using mode of discourse (e.g., descriptive, narrative, expository, or persuasive) and text form appropriate for subject, purpose, and audience.
• Syntactic cues and conventions: selecting and using formal spoken sentences that are meaningful and devoid of ambiguous expressions; demonstrating control over such elements as subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, verb forms, and parallelism (average spoken sentence length – 10.9 words).
• Semantic/Lexical/Morphological cues and conventions: using words precisely, accurately, and for effect (e.g., to create imagery, to communicate figuratively, to communicate symbolically).
• Graphophonic cues and conventions: using the sounds of letters and syllables to correctly pronounce words.
• Other cues and conventions: using appropriate volume and intonation; using appropriate non-verbal cues and body language; using appropriate gestures, facial expression, sound, visual, and multimedia aids to enhance presentation.

Prepare, rehearse, and deliver a talk on a familiar topic that includes:

• An effective introduction that sets the direction for speech by getting attention of audience, introducing the topic, stating the central idea or purpose, identifying the main point, and making audience eager to hear what else you have to say.
• An attention getter (e.g., an amazing fact or startling statement; an attention-grabbing illustration; a short demonstration or colourful visual aid; a series of questions or a short history of the topic; a strong statement of why the topic is important to you and audience).
• A body logically and coherently organized so audience can follow.
• A conclusion that helps audience understand what they listened to and why it was important.

Prepare, rehearse, and deliver an oral reading/interpretation of prose, poetry, or other texts including:

• arranging materials effectively
• using techniques of speech and delivery to interpret possible meanings
• thinking about how the ideas and characters in the text could be communicated with voice
• using voice (e.g., expression, pacing, tone, dialect) for characterization and effect.

Support the ongoing discourse of the classroom by contributing to the talk; listening attentively to the offerings of others; refraining from sarcasm or insult that silences others; and helping, when necessary, to draw others into the discussion.

Plan a class meeting on a real topic of concern with the aim of reaching a consensus about the action that might be taken.

Speak confidently, clearly, and persuasively to communicate and explore information, ideas, and opinions.

Develop, explain, and justify opinions.

Recognize and adjust oral presentation elements effectively (i.e., articulation, pronunciation, volume, tempo, pitch, stress, gestures, eye contact, facial expression, and poise) in keeping with purpose, audience needs, and individual cultural and linguistic background.